Is this a general membership gym?

No. In order to maintain the highest quality standards, we're choosing to provide you with the controlled environment that is needed to offer 1 on 1 and semi private coaching. That way, we are able to exclusively offer personalized training of the highest quality, customized to your needs.

What makes Beyond Fitness different?

We have the best and most qualified trainers around. Our trainers hold themselves to the highest standards of care, using evidence-based and scientifically-proven training techniques, while continually pursuing ongoing education and professional development. Our beautiful facility also offers unique equipment specifically chosen with our end users in mind and is unmatched in Vancouver Island.

Why is a controlled gym environment good for me?

There is no sharing of equipment. This allows us to control both the flow and pace of your workout as well as the cleanliness of the equipment you use. In addition, we have the ability to dictate how many people can be in the gym at any given time which gives each client an interruption-free dedicated space to train in with no judgements or rushed exercise.

Can I come workout at the gym by myself, without a trainer?

No. In order to offer the highest quality standards to all our clients, we're choosing a controlled gym environment with limited numbers of clients at any given time.

What is your cancellation policy?

We respectfully ask that you give us 24 hours’ notice when cancelling or rescheduling an appointment. Those cancelling with less notice will be charged the full session fee. By getting in touch with us ahead of time when scheduling conflicts occur, you're honouring your trainer’s time, which we really appreciate.

What services do you offer?

We are a full spectrum Health and Wellness Studio offering Personal Training, Nutrition Coaching and Injury Rehabilitation through our Kinesiology and Athletic Therapy services.

What are your hours of operation?

We are open 7 days a week from 5AM to 10PM.

What is Functional Training and Its Benefits?

Functional training at Beyond Fitness involves exercises designed to train muscles for carrying out everyday activities safely and efficiently. This type of training, which targets multiple muscle groups, aims to improve overall body mechanics, enhancing core stability, strength, and endurance. The exercises mimic common movements you might do at home, work, or in sports, resulting in benefits such as better posture, reduced injury risk, and increased ease of daily living.

What Does Mobility Training Involve?

Mobility training focuses on improving the range of motion in your joints and muscles. It involves stretching and strengthening exercises that enhance overall movement efficiency. This type of training is crucial for everyone, particularly those who wish to improve their athletic performance or maintain their physical health as they age. Mobility training helps in preventing injuries and can also aid in recovery if you're dealing with stiffness or post-injury rehabilitation.

What is included in your Nutrition Coaching services?

Nutrition coaching services are tailored to help individuals understand and implement healthy eating practices that align with their fitness and health goals. These services typically include personalized meal planning, nutritional education, and strategies to overcome personal eating challenges. Coaches work closely with clients to ensure that the dietary plans not only support their physical health but are also practical and sustainable.

Low-Carb Lies: Why Your Diet Is Sabotaging Your Fitness

sarah-jane956
Sep 17
3 min read

Meet Sarah: Fit, Focused... and Fatigued?

Sarah, 47, is a committed runner and marketing executive navigating perimenopause. For years, she followed a strict low-carb diet—protein shake for breakfast, grilled chicken salad for lunch, and fish with veggies for dinner. Initially, she lost weight and felt energized.

But over time, her performance declined, sleep suffered, and mood swings crept in.

Concerned, she met with a sports nutritionist—and discovered she was running on fumes due to low carbohydrate availability (LCA).

Why Carbs Are Critical—Especially for Active People

Think of carbs as premium fuel for your body. Just like a high-performance car runs best on high-octane gas, your body performs best with sufficient carbohydrates. When you don’t get enough, especially during intense workouts, performance plummets and recovery suffers.

Low-carb intake leads to:

Decreased endurance
Reduced strength and power
Impaired mental clarity during workouts
Increased cortisol (your body’s stress hormone)

The Female Factor: Carbs & Hormonal Health

Low-carb diets are especially risky for women in perimenopause or menopause. Inadequate carbs can worsen hormonal imbalances, triggering:

Sleep disturbances
Mood swings
Bone density loss
Slower metabolism

Carbs vs. Cortisol

When you cut carbs, cortisol rises. For women already experiencing elevated cortisol from hormonal shifts, this spells trouble. It can also sabotage fat loss efforts—ironically, the very thing many are hoping to achieve with low-carb dieting.

Case Study 2: Tom’s Ride to Recovery

Tom, 52, a software engineer and avid cyclist, also adopted a low-carb lifestyle. While aiming to lose weight, he instead experienced:

Fatigue on group rides
Brain fog at work
Persistent belly fat

His nutritionist pointed out that low carb intake can lower testosterone and increase cortisol—two things that blunt performance and recovery in men.

How Sarah and Tom Rebounded—And How You Can Too

1. Calculate Your Carb Needs

Aim for 3.5 to 7 grams of carbs per kg of body weight daily (1.6–3.2g/lb).

Sarah: 5g/kg
Tom: 4g/kg

2. Fuel Your Workouts

Eat carbs before and after training.

Sarah added oatmeal with fruit pre-run
Tom started eating a banana with peanut butter pre-ride

3. Spread Carbs Across Meals

Include carbs at every meal—about 25% of your daily needs—to keep energy levels stable.

4. Prioritize Post-Workout Refueling

Replenish with at least 1.2g of carbs/kg (0.55g/lb) after intense sessions. Recovery smoothies work wonders.

5. Adjust for Your Life Stage

Women: Use carbs to manage cortisol and support hormonal balance
Men: Maintain healthy testosterone levels with adequate carbs

6. Choose Quality Carbs

Go for complex carbs like sweet potatoes, quinoa, whole grains, and berries.

7. Listen to Your Body

Tweak your carb intake based on how you feel, train, and recover.

The Results: Energy, Endurance, and Empowerment

Within weeks of adjusting their carb intake:

Sarah crushed her previous 10K time and slept better than she had in years.
Tom regained his cycling stamina and mental sharpness.

Neither gained fat—just strength, clarity, and vitality.

The Takeaway: Carbs Aren’t the Enemy—They’re the

Answer

If you're 40+ and active, carbs are not a threat—they're essential. Fueling smartly can enhance every aspect of your health:

✅ Athletic performance

✅ Hormonal health

✅ Mood stability

✅ Long-term wellness

Let Beyond Fitness Help You Fuel Smarter

At Beyond Fitness, we specialize in training and nutrition for men and women over 40. If you're unsure how to fuel your body properly or feel your performance has plateaued, our expert coaches are here to help.

Need personalized nutrition guidance? Drop by or connect with one of our certified nutritionists. We’ll help you build a plan that supports your goals, age, and lifestyle.

Fuel Up, Perform Better, Feel Your Best.

Your best years are ahead—let’s power them with the right fuel.Visit us at Beyond Fitness or message us anytime. We’re with you every step of the way.

Contact us at Beyond Fitness and let us help you build your system.

Low-Carb Lies: Why Your Diet Is Sabotaging Your Fitness

Why Carbs Are Critical—Especially for Active People